GILGIT: A protest demonstration was held in Skardu on Sunday against high fares of PIA flights to Islamabad.

The protesters said the recent reduction in airfare from Islamabad to Skardu and Gilgit provided no relief to people as the fare on the flights to Islamabad was still high.

A large number of activists of civil society and political parties gathered at the Chowk Yadgar and blasted the PIA management for not facilitating the people of GB.

While a passenger travelling from Islamabad to Skardu and Gilgit pays Rs6,915 airfare, those going to Islamabad from the two destinations are made to pay from Rs10,000 to Rs17,000, claimed a protester.

Earlier, PIA had announced a 30 per cent cut in domestic fares on all but Gilgit and Skardu routes. However, after protest by the GB government, the national carrier announced only one-way reduction in fares.

The protesters said as a large number of GB people travelled to Islamabad in winter to reach other areas of the country they should be facilitated by reducing airfare on flights from Gilgit and Skardu to Islamabad.

Najaf Ali, a participant of the protest, said PIA was already charging high airfares from GB people travelling to Islamabad compared to other cities.

Major roads in Skardu remained blocked for hours during the course of the protest.

The protesters demanded operation of special C-130 flights from GB to Islamabad at concessional rates to facilitate the people, especially patients and students. The protesters warned if their demands were not met they would lock the PIA office in Skardu.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2020